Not sure what to do....advice would be appeciated

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my Casey bear

my Casey bear

Active Member
I have sooo many thoughts running through my head I am not sure where to start. Casey has been diagnosed with diabetes and these are my concerns:

1) The vet said I should bring her in to learn to give her insulin shots 5cc 2 times/day. Oh, no....I couldn't afford to bring her in for the urinary infection (why I brought her to the vet in the first place). With my current financial situation, I can not see how I could afford the consultation and routine vet visits along with all the supplies! Another problem area would be giving her the shots. My current job is feast or famine, my boyfriend lives out of town, and if I manage to find an other job that would work with my no-so-predictable schedule (so I could afford to make ends meet and hopefully treat Casey), how will I be able to be at home on a daily routine schedule?
:?: Is there any other...holistic...means of treating the diabetes?

2) The vet had me change Casey's diet to prescription diabetic formula cat food, which its main ingredients are grain products. (after buying my 2nd bag of this food I found out that high grains cat food could have been what had brought this in the first place.)
I am now trying different low/non-grain cat food, along with some dried cranberry powder, and seem to be noticing a difference in the litter box. (less in the box and the litter more clumpier than clay like).
:?: Am I only fouling my self that the low carb/high protein diet is helping?

3) The diagnosis: I do not know what "type" diabetes she has, and I still question a condition Casey has had for quite some time and is deteriorating. Casey is a little over 12 yrs old and had been really slow at going up the stairs for at least a year or 2 (possibly more), I had passed it off as being her age. When I was told of Casey's diagnoses, I asked the vet it the struggles with climbing stairs could have been a sign/result of the diabetes (horrified that I was overlooking an earlier symptom), I was told that is was not a diabetic symptom and that it was probably arthritis in Casey's hind-quarters. Since then she has been struggling just hopping up on my bed or even the couch, and now she is not walking properly on her back paws. Also, thought not caught in the act, 2 times over the past week or so she has been peeing in front of the litter box (I think partially in and partially out), so I followed her when she went to the litter box to observe. I was mortified to see her struggles/change in her routine! She usually hopped into the box, turned a 180, did her business near the back/back edge, covered it, then bolt out. Last night I saw her gingerly/slowly enter the box, facing the same direction she had entered (in just far enough to pee near the front edge of the box), seemed to struggle and/or was unstable doing her business, and struggled/trying not to fall while attempting to cover it while turning around to exit the box. I immediately went to the internet to research her weakness which led me to this site.
I found a post stating that weakness in a cats hind legs is a symptom of diabetes. :?: Even if I could treat Casey and keep a roof over our heads, is it too late to give her a healthy/comfortable life?

I seems like I wrote a book, but as I stated...I have many thoughts and questions running through my head. Before I sum things up and close my post, I should give an over-view about Casey. She is black, short hair cat that is a little over 12 years old. She is an indoor cat who lives near Green Bay, WI. Sometime over the past year or so (starting a little before the time IAMs Mature Cat food was no longer availiable in stores and have more sturnly retrict the food portions because of my other cats weight) she started to over indulge as if she was not getting enough food. Needless to say Casey gained weight (and Gabby lost it). Prior to the weight gain, Casey was about 12#, at the vets at the initial possible diagnoses she was over 16#(late April/early May), now over the past few weeks or so (maybe more) she has dropped back down to about 13#. (she is still eating) confused_cat Not sure if the weight loss is do to the change in diet or the weakening of her hind legs.

I will close with My most worrisome question: :?: What would be the best thing I can do for Casey, given my circumstances?? (allow myself to get farther into debt (where I wouldn't be able to pay my bills) to treat her with insulin? Keep trying thr high protein/low carb diet only? :sad: Euthanize her? ..???

Well, Thank you for reading my post (or book :lol: ), and I appreciate any help or advice I could get.

Sincerely,
Roberta
 
First of all, 5 units (not cc's) of insulin is a terrifyingly huge amount of insulin to start with. Very, very few cats need that much insulin, and the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood ugar - can be very dangerous) would be high. Please do some reading here and online before considering giving that much insulin. (Unlike dogs and humans, insulin dosing in cats is not based on weight or initial blood glucose readings. We start low - 0.5u to 1u- and build slowly.)

There is no holistic way to treat diabetes, although changing her diet to low carb, high protein canned or raw food can help a lot. (You are dead on about that dry food! UGH!) We can send you a newbie kit with a home blood testing monitor -- that will save a LOT on vet visits and allow you to monitor her diabetes at home (like a human does). The insulin shots do not take a lot of time, and are pretty important. It is most likely that your cat has Type 2 diabetes, wherein she is still producing some insulin, but needs help. Treating this quickly can sometimes allow the pancreas to heal, and she may become diet controlled.

As for the neuropathy, check out this : http://felinediabetes.com/weak-back-rear-legs.htm

It's not too late!

If you post your general location, one of us may be nearby to give you a hand.

Welcome aboard!!
 
And you don't need to buy the prescription food from the vet. A lot of us use the pate varieties of Fancy Feast or Friskies.
I am managing on very limited funds.

The low carb, high protein diet is definitely helping!(Some cats even go into remission when they've had their diet changed.

5 units is way to high to start with especially is you are not testing the BG.

I'm sure others will be along with more info.

Welcome - you can do this :-D
 
Roberta there is just so much I want to say to you.
I was where you are at now...almost 5 years ago.
Our journey has been full of wonderful surprises, a few set backs, and the thought that I would'nt have taken it would have been such a huge loss in my life on so many levels.
Would you know how to check your pm's (private messages)
I am going to send you a message because I am just too tired to type it all out right now but I do have some real comforts for you.
You will be handling almost every single one of your kitty's diabetic needs, at home, inexpensively, with help from our board.
In 5 years tom has only been to the vet 3 times...and only one of them was diabetes related....i went in just to change insulins.
Check your pm's...upper right hand corner.
Lori
and tomtom
 
Did the vet take any blood tests while you were. How did the vet diagnose the diabetes?

From what you are saying, yes, your cat could be diabetic. And if you start with the diet change, that sounds like you are now doing, that will help go a long way to getting her better.

I have a 15 non-diabetic cat, with severe arthritis and she doesn't always go in or use the litter box. There are things you can do help this issue - here are a couple:

1) purchase a lower entry litter box, that will be easier for her to walk into/out of.
2) purchase puppy training pads, put them around the litter box - this way if she goes outside the box, hopefully she will go on the pads and it will make for easier cleanup.

It is also possible that once the urinary issues are resolved, so too may be the litter box issues. But if she does have agility problems, again you may want to try the above.

We can help teach you how to home test (this will eliminate the need to take her to vet for tests). Plus you will never get an accurate read at the vet - due to vet stress. So, you actually are better off testing her yourself at home. This can also become a bonding time for you two.

If you have a walmart nearby, you can purchase a human glucometer and test strips - the Relion brand is theirs and very reasonably price. Just make sure to get one that "sips" the blood and only requires a very small amount.

And yes, you may need to administer insulin. Again this too is something we can help you with. There are several kinds of insulin available, the ones we recommend here include lantus, levemir and prozinc.

lantus and levemir work in a similar fashion and have more strict protocols then prozinc.

If you have an erratic schedule, prozinc may be a better option for you. as it's a more forgiving insulin.

However, before I get ahead of things, it's important for you to home test so we can see what her numbers really are and with some cats, the diet change alone is enough and insulin isn't needed. In other situations, a short time on insulin is all that is needed and maintaining the diet will keep the cat in remission.

Maui, for example was on insulin for a few months and is over 2 years in remission.

This is manageable, it does take commitment on your part, but it is manageable and this is a great place for help.

If you start insulin, no matter which one you use, please start at a low dose 1 unit or even 1/2 unit. Don't ever go with cc's or 5 units to start. No matter what the vet says!

And regarding the prescription food - you can return it for a refund! Just tell the vet, the cat doesn't like it and they have to return and refund your money. If the vet suggests another prescription food - just say no thanks, you've got it covered.

let us know how else we can help you.
 
Roberta,
I was in the same exact place you find yourself in just two months ago. Today, my Bob is almost to the point where he can come off the insulin. The replies you've already gotten have been fantastic. The important thing for you to realize is that although you obviously feel overwhelmed right now, it isn't as bad as you fear.

Feline diabetes can be dealt with. And the best news is that you can do most of that yourself, at home, without a huge expense.

Bob was also having a really hard time moving around. His back end was weakened. He missed the litter box and when he did use it, he was peeing gallons. His motion problems were a result of both diabetes and severe dehydration. He was dehydrated to the point that his joints were excessively dry. It was "arthritis" but was caused by dehydration for the most part. He got a shot of something (don't recall exactly what) to lube his joints. He also received sub-q injections of lactated ringers for several days in a row. His pain and mobility problems went away in less than a week. After that, it was just a matter of getting his blood glucose under control to get rid of the excessive drinking and peeing. Within two weeks, he was a whole new cat. It's been two months of daily testing and injecting insulin, and like I said, he's really close to remission.

You can do this. We can help.

The 5 units of insulin does seem extremely high. What type of insulin did the vet prescribe? The advice here and on other sites on the web is "start low, go slow". Bob started at 1 unit of PZI, twice a day. He did go as high as 7 units a day, but that was several weeks later, and today he's down to getting 1.5 to 2 units total per day.
If you go with an all-canned, low carb diet, that is going to drop Casey's blood glucose dramatically. It can do that in a matter of days, so 5 units twice a day, even if it worked for a day or two, is going to be way too much once his sugar starts dropping due to the change in diet. It can cause hypoglycemia, and even induce a coma. That much insulin just doesn't sound right. If he'd told you ".5 units", that would sound a lot more logical to everyone here.
That is why the best thing you can do is learn to home test and treat. If you are checking his levels twice a day, you'll know right away that his insulin needs to be adjusted downward. You can post your test numbers here twice a day, and people will be able to advise you how much to dose. People are on this board 24 hours a day, and rarely does a question go unanswered for even an hour. Lots of folks here will even give you a phone number you can call for instant advice, and will talk you through testing and treating if you need immediate help. You aren't alone with this.
They'll also fix you up with a "newbie kit" which will help you out by saving you much of initial cost of getting home-testing supplies.

I posted in another thread a few weeks back, when someone raised the point about how "expensive" this diabetes dance could be. If you do what I and hundreds of other people here have done, the cost is minimal.
Home test
Home treat
Switch to easily available low-carb grocery store variety canned foods.

I calculated the cost of home-treating Bob to be about $3 per day above what he cost me pre-diabetes. The only large expense was the initial vet visits for diagnosis, and he did have to stay for 2 nights at the clinic early on in his adventure. Other than that, it's about 3 bucks a day. That includes the meter, test strips, insulin, food, and treats. As he improved, the cost drops because I'm using less insulin per day.

Please, don't let this freak you out. You can do it, and Casey could have several more years left in him! I've had cats live to up to 19 years old. Bob is 11, and he's going to be with me for a few more. Diabetes is not a death sentence for your kitty. It is managable, and you can do this.

Carl in SC
 
Roberta's vet was recommending Humulin....I suggested the 3 others we use here more commonly. I hope she will be back and posting with all her other thoughts and questions.
A newbie kit with 50 strips will be going our first thing in the morning and she is watching mark and buddy's testing video.
Also got a good look at J&B's food list and will start low carb canned tomorow night.
After work.
Her cat must be a sweetie pie cuz when she was playing with his ear immitating testing she kept turning her head for head scritches and chin rubs.
No bother with ear touching.
Roberta has limited use of her primary hand so testing may be harder for her...but with such a lovey dovey docile mama's girl kitty....I think she'll get a partner in the testing with her own cat!
If we can get her syringes that would be really helpful, if anyone knows someone who can donate those.
Newbie is on board!
Lori
and Lord Thomas
 
Thank you, one and all, for the help, advice and support!!

Hillary & Maui...The vet did do a blood test to confirm what she had suspected, Casey was diabetic.

I did run to the store tonight and picked up some canned food. I put the can of food in 2 dishes (one for each cat)...Casey loved it! Gabby (my non-diabetic cat) would have nothing to do with it, even after I added some of the dry food to her dish. I decided to put a little dry food in another dish to see what would happen, I was thrilled with what I saw. :razz: Casey was engrossed with the canned food while Gabby ate the dry (the last I saw). This was the first time that one cat did not insist on eating what was in the other one's dish!!
I am familiar with dry food serving portions, but not so much with canned food. :?: By the way, what is the proper serving size for 13#, currently not so active cat? And is it usually 2/day?

Thank you, again, everyone for helping in reducing some of my anxieties (I will address that farther in another post)

Roberta & Casey
 
Roberta at this point Casey should get as much food as she wants. Reason? Her body does'nt absorb nutrients or liquids well with the high sugar in her blood. After you get some regulation or some assurance that her blood glucose is not too high you can give her 2-2.5 cans a day. about 7 ounces.
Don't let her go hungry now tho'.
Lori
 
when Maui was unregulated and once she learned to eat canned food. she could eat almost 2 cans of fancy feast (6 ounces) in one sitting. Like Lori said, I let her eat as much as she wanted. Once her numbers became more regulated, the hunger fest slowed down and she would eat 1 can or even 1/2 a can at a time.

I also left the wet food out so they could graze (it's what they did when the dry was out). I did make sure that when I gave insulin, that I gave her a fresh bowl of food, as I wanted to be sure she ate with insulin in her system.

Now two years later, I still free feed the wet food, and they eat what and when they want. Sometimes I have empty bowls and sometimes well, they don't touch a thing.
 
Roberta,

I'm coming in late to this party and it looks like everyone else has covered pretty much the basics. So all I'm going to add is just a few words of encouragement. Ihave two diabetics Maxwell and Musette, both of which I adopted as diabetics. Now I have 10 other cats, so if this wasn't a very easy disease to managed at home and without breaking the bank I wouldn't have two that I have adopted knowing full well that their were diabetic. My husband is a roofer and our sole source of income at the moment as I'm a full-time college student, as well as a mom to the furries, a grandmother to the non-furries and chief cook, dishwasher and dog walker of the house. :lol: I get tests in before Musette's shots and on the weekends or a day off for you is when I get curves in. Nw you might notice that I said before Musette's shots, but nothing about Maxwell....well that is because Maxwell has been in remission and off insulin for the last 8 months, in fact I just tested him today and he was a nice normal 59!

To date other than before they both came to me the only time either of them as seen the vet is when Maxwell and I went to my vet to show him how we test at home, since then I have started working for my vet to teach his other diabetic patients and the people that love them how to treat them at home. Musette was a very sick little girl when I adopted her, in fact she spent 3 weeks in a foster home before she was even well enough to travel to me. Before she was even up for adoption ( and actually her former owner had surrendered her to be put to sleep). She had DKA and survived, she had to be shaved because she could no longer groom herself and being a Himalayan she was very matted. and she had severe neuropathy. Two months later now that she blood sugar is starting to get under control, she is leaping on my bed, then bounding over to the kitty condo in front of the window and taking down my year old kittens in wrestling matches. :-D She is 11 years old and yet now plays with my kittens.

Maxwell is 12 years old, he is a regal and refined gentleman who was also in sorry shape when he arrived at my house, not nearly as bad as Musette but not great either. Today he is a lovely happy and healthy boy. Who delights in snuggling in bed with me and his best friend in the world a two year old little long-haired grey girl named Lady Jane Grey. Now Maxwell would be more social with the rest of the cats if it wasn't for the fact that he is head over heels in love with Lady Jane, and she well hates everyone but Maxwell and Musette...lol. So for now Maxwell is content to hang out in the bedroom with his Lady Jane.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
Hey Roberta,

You came to a WONDERFUL Forum! I am new to the whole F.D. and it is very overwhelming! It looks like your vet scenario is like soo many others! *SIGH* - I was having flashbacks for a minute.. Read everything, everyone is posting for you, on top of all the rest of the topics etc... (I am still reading)

And Please Don't give up on your kitty, when I saw ur post "Euthanize her? ..???" My heart dropped, Trust me I understand everything u are going thru, sounds like you are doing the best for Casey, Did u find the Old/New (low carb) can cat food link? I printed mine out (along with other f.d. info.) I keep it on me at all times.... I get very emotional when it comes to my kitty, and now I am 10x WORSE?! (: But We can get thru this, I know it in my heart! Hugs to you, Pam & Po-Kitty =^..^=
 
With all the help and support I have received, I am not as fearful about the costs and my physical capability to care for Casey, but I am afraid that I am going to lose the life I have finally started to live.

For a number of years I had not really been living my life...I just stayed home w/my cats most of the time. Other than my cats, I was leading a lonely life. Over the past year or two I finally crawled out of my shell and began to live my life. I gradually started getting out of the house and doing things, and recently, thanks to the guy I started seeing less than a year ago, I am now going places too. I am afraid all of this will be going away.

I hate the way I am feeling because I love my cats dearly...they are like children to me....but I am afraid that I will be forced to become a herit and have stop living my life once again.

Has anyone else gone through feelings/fears like this?

Roberta
(and Casey)
 
Roberta, I think all of us have thought about this.
I don't believe it is a black and white situation.
Not an all or nothing.
I think you can have both.
And the benefits of taking care of your sugar kitty may far outweigh the satisfaction you occasionally may give up.
Whatever bond you have now with them will double, triple, quadruple.
A guy who is worth his weight in gold is one who I believe will understand this potentially temporary situation.
You are a woman who cares for her cats, her responsibilities.
What is the other option.
Let's talk about it....and let's see what your man has to say. Why not get his input.
 
I think everyone of us here has spent at least a week or two initially in overload mode, and how will I be able to do this.
Be sure to read the note at the top [ I think it's labeled ] a letter from your cat!! It will help a lot.Practice deep breathing a few times a day to clam yourself, it really helps. Everyone here will help you out!
 
Roberta,

It really isn't all or nothing when it comes to caring for a diabetic cat....I have two of them, both which I adopted knowing full well that they were diabetics, in fact that is why I adopted them. I also have 10 nondiabetic cats, and a large dog. But my husband and I still go out at night, we visit with friends, we have friends over. I babysit my grand-kids and even go out to see my husband's band play if it isn't too far away from home. Not because I have diabetic cats, but because I don't enjoy 2 hour rides in the truck at 2am... :-D

Sometimes it takes a little planning ahead to be able to escape for a long evening out but it is doeable. And I definitely wouldn't trade having my two diabetics in my life, and you never know Casey may turn out to be like my Maxwell...diet controlled and off insulin all together. Maxwell although he is a diabetic, as long as he doesn't eat dry food he is like any other cat in the household. If I have to leave him past when I would normally be home to feed him. I simply freeze is canned food ahead of time, give him one meal fresh out of the can and then the other meal I put out frozen, so he can nibble on it while it is thaws out.

Just recently we adopted Musette, I live in Nebraska, she was in Virginia, she was flown as far as Denver Colorado. Then a member of this board picked her up there and drove her to meet up with us in Big Springs Nebraska. That was a 6 hour round trip for us, Marcy (the member that picked up Musette) also has a diabetic cat, her's got his shot a bit late, and our furry kids got their last meal of the day a bit late. But it was doeable for both of us.

We have even taken Maxwell and the dog with us to go camping and just had a neighbor stop by several times a day to check in on the other cats, clean litter boxes, feed etc. Basically it is no different that living with human children, you hire a sitter, or you take them with you, or you find a way to work your schedule around the shot times. Some days they just don't get tested as often as others, or you have to reduce the dose slightly so you know they are in safe numbers while your gone. But like human kids they survive and you still have a life.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette and the Fur Gang
 
my Casey bear said:
With all the help and support I have received, I am not as fearful about the costs and my physical capability to care for Casey, but I am afraid that I am going to lose the life I have finally started to live.

For a number of years I had not really been living my life...I just stayed home w/my cats most of the time. Other than my cats, I was leading a lonely life. Over the past year or two I finally crawled out of my shell and began to live my life. I gradually started getting out of the house and doing things, and recently, thanks to the guy I started seeing less than a year ago, I am now going places too. I am afraid all of this will be going away.

I hate the way I am feeling because I love my cats dearly...they are like children to me....but I am afraid that I will be forced to become a herit and have stop living my life once again.

Has anyone else gone through feelings/fears like this?

Roberta
(and Casey)
Click to expand...

The first couple of weeks were really hectic for me, then I went on vacation (sister was graduating from college then I had plans with some friends visiting here). Once you get the routine down, you live your life. Mine's jampacked....with work! I work 2 jobs (pretty much no life, lol), so I have purchased and autofeeder that gives Cedric 2 of his 4 meals a day while I am at work. I am fortunate that I can take him to the office with me for when i was doing some Bg curves on him (I have done 3) - in fact, he's probably going in with me tomorrow just for fun.

If your guy is worth his salt he will be supportive of your care for your pet - maybe he can even help. :smile: Your Casey just needs special food, special drugs and some love! Only the 1st two make her different!
 
The fear of losing my life are all the things I am going to give up in order to follow a strick 12 hour schedule. No more camping, biking, and/or hiking trips... In order to have the evening regiment coinside with what works in the morning, I would need to give up either running my errands and chiropractor visits after work, or dart league and dance class because I wouldn't be able to get there in time.
And I need to get a second job...How will I be able to get one with such inflexiblity?

I am sorry, I am not making excuses; just airing out my fears. (OK, I guess I might be hoping that someone might tell me there is a miracle insulin that would allow a 24hr regiment and/or would only require Casey to be on it for a short period of time...wishful thinking!)

Roberta
(and Casey)
 
Roberta,
Give it a chance....many many many cats go into remission. My tom went in 31 days. It could happen.
The sooner you start the easier it would be to get little Casey into remission.
And if not...we have insulins we use that you do not have to be so strict about the 12/12 schedule.
pzi is one.
It is actually very enpowering, even somewhat fun, learning to control the dire beasties and perchance beating them.
You may choose not to treat. We need to talk about options. Diabetes, left untreated, is a miserable way to die.
I am here to help you with all of you thoughts, choices, options etc....
But as much as I was afraid to 'start' I will never look back at all the great fun, freinds, and cat loving angels I have met here.
Why do you think I do Newbie Kits? It ain't cuz I got nothing better to do....I do it out of love.
Lori
and tomtom
 
Roberta - you are doing the first step, going on this website, and you are in such good hands here. I know how you feel, just a little over a month ago I was crying on the sofa trying to figure out how much my life had changed and how I was ever going to to take a vacation, pay vet bills, etc. Now I am planning my vacations - yes, more than one time away from home, and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. And the best part, my little guy, Sebastian, is doing great. He was just fussed at for doing something he shouldn't have - again.

Just read the advice from all the other members, they have lots of experience and can guide you and give you the emotional support you need. Read everything you can about FD and then read some more. You'll be surprised how easy it becomes!

Good Luck, you can do this! ;-)

Jeanne, Sebastian's mom
 
Hi Roberta!
when my Charlie was diagnosed, I had a 1 year old daughter. I had no idea how i was going to handle a diabetic cat and a baby. I did though...and now I have another baby (2 months). We're still chugging along. You will make it work. Some people take their diabetic cats with them (patti & merlin). She has awesome tips on traveling with pets. Some board them at the vet. Some have a trusted friend or pet sitter come over to test and dose them at shot times. You don't have to stop living your life, but I know how it can sure seem like that at first. Once you get Casey stabilized it'll become second nature. It's overwhelming at first, but it gets easy. Now with a non-diabetic cat, a diabetic (actually he has acromegaly) cat, a 2 year old, and a 2 month old, I would totally get another diabetic cat right now...but my hubby says only 1 diabetic cat at a time :lol: We haven't attempted a vacation just because the kids are so young, but if we did I would likely just try to find someone that I can teach to test and dose his insulin while we were gone. Please don't get discouraged. You can do it all-- you're supermom! :lol:
 
Roberta,

Maxwell was on insulin for 2 weeks before going into remission. Musette probably would have only needed a short course as well had she been treated when her previous owners found out that she was diabetic, but they didn't treat her, or at least not on a consistance basis, as well as the fact that they allowed her to suffer with an untreated UTI. And I'm almost willing to bet money that she will also be off insulin by Christmas, and if she isn't, oh well it literally takes me all of 5 minutes twice a day to test and shoot. It takes me longer to feed the rest of my critters.

In the year that I have been a member of this board, I have seen so many newbies come on, overwhelmed and within weeks or months we are celebrating their cats going into remission. Especially the cats that are started on Lantus with owners that follow the protocol here. Lots of folks here and I'm one of them..Take their sugarcats camping with them, they take them on vacations, or the hire a pet sitter that comes in and tests and shoots. In fact I do that where I am here, right now I don't have any sugarcats that I pet sit, but I do have two diabetic dogs that my vet referred their owners to me if they need to go away I go over, test, shoot, and take the little guys for walks etc. There is even a chance with as many members as we have on this board that there is someone close enough to you that you can trade care with. When you want to get away they come over and care for Casey and when they want a little time away you do the same for them.

My most humble suggestion is give it and Casey a chance, learn to test, start her on insulin, change her diet to low carb/high protein canned food. If money is an issue there are lots of ways to make it doeable, there is DCIN (Diabetic Cats In Need) that Venita runs that can help with insulin and testing supplies. And if you truly find that you just can't hack it, then before having Casey put down, let us see if we can find someone that wants to adopt her, but that may take awhile, but it is doeable. Both of mine were adopted as diabetics. The sooner you start treatment the sooner you will know how Casey will respond to treatment, the closer you may be to remission, and the better idea you will have of what it takes to care for a diabetic animal.

And I will tell you the one thing it taught me that I never expected it to teach me....That is what an absolutely wonderful man I married, he stepped up and he stepped up in a big way. Not only did he pitch in and drive long hours after working a full day on a hot roof so we could adopt our two. He learned to test and shoot, and when he saw how well I did with learning what I needed to know and how well I handled the testing and shots. He asked me to quit the job I was miserable at (retail), he picked up extra hours and send my happy butt back to college to become a Vet Tech. On the weekends he takes over the household chores so I can study, yes he cooks, cleans, does laundry & dishes all so I can hit the books. And now that we have Musette he texts me on his lunch break to ask..."What's our girl's numbers?" If we are out for an evening he is the one that will turn to me and say "Sweetie when do you need to poke a kitty?" I could have lived with this man for years and years and never known what a truly blessed woman I am that a short 14 days of having a insulin dependent cat has taught me. Neither he nor I are kids we are both in our late 40s, but I know that should I become seriously ill as I grow old, I have a man that I can completely trust to care for me, who isn't going to turn tail and run if I need extra care. He will be beside me through thick and thin, good times and bad. And to me that is the most priceless thing I could have learned.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
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